Prof. Han Pu's research interest is in the field of theoretical ultracold atomic physics, which covers different aspects of the physics of Bose-Einstein condensation, quantum degenerate Fermi gases, quantum optics and laser cooling and trapping. One of the most profound revolutions brought about by quantum mechanics is that it does away with the distinction between particles and waves: atoms, in particular, can exhibit all the properties that we associate with wave phenomena when cooled to ultracold temperatures. The development of these ideas leads to the emergence of the field of ultracold atomic physics, a highly inter-disciplinary field with close ties to atomic physics, quantum optics, quantum information and condensed matter physics. The study of ultracold atomic physics, on the one hand, touches the very fundamentals of quantum mechanics with broader impact in other fields such as condensed matter physics; on the other hand, also shows great promises in applications such as ultra-precision measurement, time standard, weak signal detection, quantum computing, etc.

One of the particular systems we are interested in is quantum gases subject to synthetic Gauge field and/or spin-orbit coupling. Under proper condition, new topological quantum states are supported by this system. The novelty of the atomic systems lies in the fact that these systems are very clean with great experimental controllability, such that their properties can be exquisitely tailored and manipulated. Another current interest concerns the ultracold atoms confined in one dimension. Quantum properties are enhanced as the spatial dimension is reduced. One-dimensional quantum gases, in particular, possess intriguing properties. We are developing tools that can be used to study single-, few- and many-body aspects of the system, for both static and dynamical situations.